Gary Rowett reckons his old club Leicester have a future England ace in Demarai Gray and has tipped him to be their wild-card in the title race.

Winger Gray, 19, joined second-placed Premier League side Leicester this week from Championship Birmingham after the Foxes matched his £3.75million release clause.

And Brum boss Rowett, who played for Leicester himself from 2000-2002, is expecting big things from England Under-20 international Gray.

Rowett said: “I think he has certainly got the potential to play for England seniors. He will prove, I am sure, that is good value for Leicester.

“One of the components of the modern winger is the ability to go past people and the ability to make things happen in games - he does that. Whether he starts games or comes on as sub in the Premier League, any type of player he can go past.

Rowett says there are areas of Gray’s game to improve such as crossing off his weaker left-foot, but says Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy will be good role-models for him.

City slickers: Gray can learn from new teammates Mahrez and Vardy says Rowett (Photo: Plumb Images/Getty)

He added: “I think you have perfect ones at Leicester, where you have a nice blend with the likes of Mahrez, who has that quality from the other side of the box.

“He has got 13 goals [this season], that is certainly something Demarai will want to add to his game. And then you look at Vardy and the hunger and desire he shows every game to work for his team and not just get into goal-scoring positions.

“Those are the attributes I am sure Demarai will look at in training.”